Armenia Tree Project - Who We Are - From the Directors Desk

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Reforestation, Environmental Education, Advocacy

From the Director's Desk

Reforestation. Environmental Education. Advocacy.

By Tom Garabedian, Managing Director

ATP’s work throughout Armenia and Karabagh is incredibly important. Armenia faces environmental and demographic threats, and our programs are designed to overcome these threats by:

Providing meaningful employment to nursery staff and seasonal employees involved in tree planting and forest maintenance
Planting decorative and fruit trees which protect against erosion, clean the air, provide shade, and produce tons of fruit each year to benefit more than 350 communities
Reforesting hundreds of acres of community land to restore Armenia’s historic forest cover
Educating schoolchildren about Armenia’s environment
Advocating for sustainable development

Our mission to develop Armenia through reforestation, environmental education, and advocacy is being realized through the strong efforts of our staff in Armenia. And it can only be accomplished with the continuing support that you, our friends and donors, provide year after year. We appreciate your support and thank you for your dedication to our mission.

A coalition of prominent Armenian organizations has raised environmental, economic, and social concerns about a large mining project underway in the northern village of Teghut; this photograph of mountaintop removal was taken at the site on December 1, 2012 by Babken DerGrigorian
Tom Garabedian (left) planting for Earth Day with US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern (Photo by Alex Tarverdi)

2012 was a memorable year. In June, we dedicated the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Center for Environmental Studies in Margahovit, where ATP provides classroom and hands-on environmental training for schoolchildren and workshops for regional and national groups involved in agriculture and forestry.

In September, we collaborated with the Acopian Center for the Environment at American University of Armenia in a “Let’s Do It! Armenia” national cleanup day in Margahovit. We helped the community collect 500 bags of trash.

In the fall, we began distributing the third Building Bridges newsletter. Building Bridges raises the awareness of Armenian-American students about Armenia’s environmental heritage.

Our planting efforts touched 55 new communities and our reforestation efforts were focused in Saratovka and Koghes. And we completed the first steps in the development of a sustainable forest management plan for the Margahovit community forest.

Finally, we have committed to be a more active voice in the protection of Armenia’s environment. We joined with the Armenian Environmental Network and 12 other organizations to draw attention to the environmental damage being created by mining activities in Teghut.

Again, we are grateful for your support which enables ATP to fulfill its vision of a secure and independent Armenia and its mission to green Armenia.